The eco-chic Tropics

The eco-chic Tropics
Maldives
Magazine: November 2007

“No news, no shoes” is the slogan written on the shoe bag offered to every guest while still aboard the dhoni, navigating towards the beach of the Soneva Fushi Resort in the Baa archipelago.

A simple motto, a philosophy of life that enthuses: “No News, No Shoes” meaning no contact with the outside world, thus, off with the shoes. This “mantra” relaxes mind and body. At Soneva Fushi one enjoys the philosophy of barefoot elegance, a down beat style that has won over a lot of VIPs, fascinated by the concept of less materialistic luxury, and virtuous because “ecologically correct”. The two-resort project was sprung up from the love of Sonu Shivadasan; the Soneva Fushi and the Soneva Gili, inspired by environmentally friendly rules and a socially benefi cial way of life. Decorating and construction materials at the Soneva Fushi village are all natural: teak from the plantation, palm leaves and trunks, coconut shells, bamboo, untreated cotton and terracotta.

Sand and forests
The beautiful island that houses the Soneva Fushi is one of the biggest in the Maldives. A kilometre and a half long, Kunfunadhoo is covered by a lush forest of frangipani, banyan trees and hundreds of other species of vegetation. Kunfunadhoo is surrounded by an uninterrupted beach circled by a spectacular lagoon with dunes of soft powdery sand. The “Five Star Robinson Crusoe” style at Soneva Fushi means that all technology must be “reabsorbed” by nature: the hairdryer is discreetly hidden in a palm wood drawer, the TV and stereo are concealed in attractive rattan furniture. The hotel service is as natural and subtle as possible. The staff wears a minimal chic uniform, a total white loose jacket and sarong, and walk barefooted. Only the guest’s rooms have fl oors: even in the restaurant diners walk on soft sand. The décor of the rooms is also a celebration of minimalist eco-compatibility: the beds are in palm wood, the table lamps in wrought iron and parchment, the chairs in teak.

Ocean bliss
The health and beauty treatments offered in the “Six Senses” Spa of the Soneva Fushi and the Soneva Gili take a holistic approach and focus on the balance of the vital energies. Only natural ingredients are used, like pure coconut oil, essences of tropical plants and fl owers, coralline sand and marine water. One of the most pleasurable rituals is the massage with four hands: both therapists work in synchrony with the body, mixing shiatsu, Thai massage, Hawaiian lomi lomi, Balinese massage and Swedish techniques. Enjoy the Veli Modun, an exfoliating massage from the Maldives, given on the shoreline with coralline sand and marine water. The Six Senses Spa menu also offers Jet-Lag Recovery (a total massage treatment with plantar acupuncture and an eye treatment to stimulate the circulation and reabsorb time zone stress), the“ Cleopatra Baths” with milk and honey and the Kurumbaa Kaashi Coconut Rub, a revitalising scrub that ends up with blissful head to toe massage with coconut oil.

Full immersion
To really explore the magnifi cent seabed around Kunfunadhoo, it is possible to dedicate whole mornings to deep sea diving. With expert diving masters, in a few minutes by boat it is possible to reach most of the best sites. Normally the walls of the reef go down as far as 25-30 m. depth and you can swim through clouds of silvery sardines, open mouthed moray eels with sharp teeth, fi ery PESCI RANA that camoufl age themselves in the corals, huge rays, small innocuous dog fi sh, families of PESCI LEONE with wavering manes. Back at the surface a hot towel awaits you , a refreshing tea and a slice of coconut to restore the energy.

A lagoon dream
A few miles separate Malé from the island of Lankanfushi, where the Soneva Gili is situated. At fi rst sight it seems very different from Fushi. To make up for the lack of space the wooden villas, linked with long bridges, have been constructed on high stilts in the middle of the lagoon. There are also the Soneva Gili Crusoe Residences and the Soneva Gili Private Reserve. These superb residences rise up out of the turquoise water and can be reached only by boat. From the villas, facing the sunset, one can admire the coral reef. Just a few steps separate the lounge from the outside sun deck that skims the water. In a matter of seconds you can move from your bed to nature’s reef ‘aquarium’. Instead the terrace on the roof offers an amazing view of the lagoon. To get to the Spa, stroll along a long bridge. The massage with coconut oil is sublime.

Go for… gourmet
A sublime gastronomic experience awaits the lucky dinners at Me Dhuniye. The “gourmet restaurant” of Soneva Fushi is characterised by large rectangular portholes so the palm trees, the ocean and the sky massage the eyes whilst tasting the superb dishes of the “New Asian Cuisine”: a creative culinary philosophy that sources intricate dishes from the countries of origin (Japan, Thailand, India, Indonesia), but with a new twist on the ingredients. Mouth-wateringly delicious, for example, the wahoo ‘biscuit’ in pastry with lemongrass and lime, with an apricot sorbet and red peppers. The Soneva Fushi offers an excellent daily lunch buffet with fi sh, seafood, grilled meats, rice, various types of curry and sushi. There is also an organic vegetable garden with an adjoining restaurant available for lunch twice a week; the chef picks the salad and vegetables a few minutes before serving. In the resort’s wine cellar, “wine&dine” dinners can be organised with wine tastings. At the Soneva Gili, instead, there is just one restaurant that has a “Mediterr-asian” cuisine, genuine fl avours without a hint of fancy experimentation, but with emphasis on the specialities of fi sh and seafood dishes and on organic vegetables.